View Full Version : Griffey to Play Right Field
When he starts off Spring Training (after he comes back from his annual injury), Ken Griffey Jr. will play right field. It's a very interesting development.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6584822
Hobbes
03-19-2007, 10:54 AM
It was inevitable that Griffey would have to move over at some point.
And Griffey should serve as a cautionary tale for those who think the Braves should lock Andruw up for a long-term deal. Believe it or not Griffey used to be a fairly durable player. But years of abusing his body in CF has made him more injury-prone. When did Griffey start getting frequently injured? After he hit age 30 and 12 years of playing time. What about Andruw? He's age 29 with 11 years of playing time.
Sure Andruw might prove to be much more durable in his 30's than Griffey. But let somebody else take the risk, particularly at those prices.
vnodnarb
03-19-2007, 11:19 AM
absolutely, just let AJ walk, as far as Griffey this is seems like a smart move for both sides, im glad he isnt a jackass and is willing to do it
McCarroll21
03-19-2007, 11:55 AM
Dunn, Freel, Griffey ... that's some outfield defense they're throwing out there! :D
Hobbes
03-19-2007, 12:00 PM
That outfield is suspect but Griffey can still play defense, just not to the gold-glove level he used to play. He's still better than Francoeur or Diaz defensively.
McCarroll21
03-19-2007, 12:03 PM
I'm not sure if he can play RF better than Francoeur. He'd be more graceful, but the first time he has to come to an immediate stop or run into the wall, he needs to just run into the wall. His hamstrings can't take the immediate stops it may take to be a corner OF. Centerfielders get "slow down" time because of not having those walls right next to the foul line.
Hobbes
03-19-2007, 12:42 PM
Maybe. But while his body may not be what it once was, he still has the fantastic fielding instincts he always had. I see Francoeur as a competent fielder with a fantastic arm, nothing more. I think Griffey in RF can still be a very good fielder. Either way, my main point is that he isn't a defensive liability out there.
lavell12
03-19-2007, 02:00 PM
I wonder if Ryan Freel may come available because there are some reports out of Cincinnati that Josh Hamilton maybe the one playing center field.
McCarroll21
03-19-2007, 02:06 PM
I wouldn't think so because when I was listening to their game yesterday on radio they were talking like Hamilton would play RF while Griffey was out. They may switch it and put Freel in RF, but I wouldn't think with Griffey's injury history they could trade Freel away even if Hamilton is slotted to be the CF.
No, Lavell's right, they are penciling in Hamilton at CF, from what I've been told.
McCarroll21
03-19-2007, 02:10 PM
Well, I guess radio announcers don't know all. I still don't see how it makes sense for that to make Freel available if I were in control of that situation though.
On a sidenote, way to go Drew for getting your rep up to double digits. Weren't you minus 10 not too long ago?
He actually also got up to 12 too. I think it's because we deleted the trade thread.
And don't think that I want Freel, I was saying that Drew was right in saying that Hamilton was pencilied in at CF, because right now, from what I hear, he is.
Hobbes
03-19-2007, 02:22 PM
Freel can play all over the place and will get plenty of at-bats in Cincy. But as McCarroll said, the Reds have to keep Freel around as insurance for Griffey. He's virtually guaranteed to miss time at some point this season.
lavell12
03-19-2007, 03:29 PM
ya my friend I guess its because I haven't posted as often as I had in the past. LOL or because I am not posting while intoxicated.
Who is the reds leadoff hitter when Freel is out of the lineup?
I think its 2B Brandon Phillips.
McCarroll21
03-19-2007, 03:32 PM
I think Alex Gonzalez. He led off yesterday anyway, Phillips was hitting third.
Today it's Denorfia, but he's not expected to play much [he's playing LF with Dunn DH'ing today].
JayDonnelly10
03-19-2007, 06:34 PM
Im still amazed at Hamilton going from being the top pick to out of baseball in a bad way....to now being a successful rule 5 pick, his stats in spring training are pretty decent.....glad to see him turn it around and getting his head on straight....
Griffey will get hurt again this season, seems to happen at least once each season so freel and hamilton are both staying there even though Freel and his speed would be cool to have
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